New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-02
A DRUNKEN HUSBANDS DEED
MURDERED HIS WIFE AND SHOT HIMSELF.
DAUGHTER NARROWLY ESCAPED DEArH-Ay-

chatham, ono OF the many pretty little villages
along the line Of the Morris and Essex r
was the scene OF shocking tragedy yesterday
morning John Wilson, nursery EN-, loye, after
making an unsuccessful attempt to murder his
married daughter Maggie and her child, shot his
wife nearly Drained his little three-yearoId girl
Isabella and then blew out his own brains. Tho
weapon he used was an old fashioned double
oarrelled shotgun. Drink religious prejudice and
an ungovernable temper were the main causes that
led to The commission Of the crime.
wilson's career would serve as an excellent
Illustration for temperance lecture. lie was
about ffty years old, Of medium height, and
ratrer stOuty built. His face was rather pre-
possessing, and he Ind considerable ability. When
not INTOXICATED he was an agreeable good -natured
man.
lie was born in County Tyrone, Ireland where
MS father, Presbyterian OF the strongest kind,
owned some land. When John was about thirty
years Old ne married the daughter of wellto-do
neighbor. Isabella Rutherford, alright handsome
young woman about dozen years his junior. The
couple settled down on a fine farm, given them by
the elder Wilson Everything went smoothly for
lew years. Then Wilson began to treat his wife
badly. She stood it for awhile, but finally left
him and went back to her father. Her husband
became sobercd at this abandoned his in,emrerato
habits. and his vile returned to him. In a short
tlme, however, he began to drink again. and
continued to do so despite all the efforts of his
family and friends. He became so reduced at
last that his farm WAS taken away from him.
IN tEe hope that change of surroundings
might do him some good his friends induced Wilson
70 come to this country. He landed here about six
years ago. and went to work Tor X. H. Allen, a
hardware merchant in Water-st., who lives at
Chatham He kept sober for awhile, saving
enough money to bring out his family. They took
o neat little twO-story cottage in IIillsde-ave.,
beautifully situated on the brow Of the hill that
commands o fine view OF the Orange Mountafts
Again things began to prosper. There were eighb
children In the family but four Of them, Maggie,
Mary, John and Thomas were old en,ugh to help
support the rest But no sooner had the famild
fairly settled down tn Wilson dropped back int,
his old ways. He made his home unhappy, and hs
wifes life, through fear OF his violence, became
o burden.
About year ago Maggie, who was employed as
house servant in Florida, married Henry Kane.
Kane was Catholic, and this fact greatly angercd
Wilson, as he was an Ulster Orangeman Of tho
most pronounced type. Ever since the marriage ha
grew moro and more Incorporate and abusive.
threatening to kin nearly every one in the house.
X Moore. the florist for whom he worked. few
days later Maggie came on with her infant to nay
visit. These two occurrences seemed to have a
terrible effect upon Wilson. lie drank necessarily.
Again and again he swore that there would be a
clearing OUT after the Fourth, and once he
declared that his fate would be that of Disque,
who was hanged in Jersey City for killing his WIFE
On Thursday night he came home from tie
village with bottle Of whislley. All night long
he continued to drink, without going to bed at all.
lie dozed little on the sofa in the parlor but
when breakfast served he sat down to eat
with ills wife. lie was angry and abusive as he
had ehen all night While they were eating
Maggie came down stairs with her baby. Mrs.
Wilson remarked that Tommy, one of the boys.
was sick and that Maggie must so for the doctor.
1he young woman agreed to CO. She had M
sooner spoken than Wilson jumped up and went
into the bedroom where he kept the gun. Mrs.
Wilson WAS just handing her daughter cup OF
tea at the table in the kitchen when they heard
the click OF trigger and an ulearthly YELL
Looking around they the husband and fatheD
standing at the kitchen door pointing the gun at
his daughter who stood holding the baby in hen
arms.
For Gods sake, John don't Shoot" screamed
the mother just the gun went off. The mans
unsttuny nerves, however, prev entcd him from
taking accurate aim. and the charge went over the
young woman's head, lodging in the rear wall OF
the room. Maggie, followed b. some Of the Others.
few in terror with the child out Of the door and
down to the road whel two or three men were
passing.
Father is killing go in and save mother"
she said to them. But they merely shrugged tLeir
shoulders ard hurried on saying that they did NOT
wish to be shot. Then she ran across the street
to the nursery, where ler brother John Was at
Work lie and some comp Mons quickly responded
To her cries, but they reached the house too lato
to prevent the murder and suicide.
As soon as Mrs. Wilson realized that her husband
was determined to XII Maggie she sprans forward
and tried to wrest the gun fiom him. She was a
robust woman but her strength was unequal to
the task Wilson threw her back from him; and
before she could get out of his way he poured
the contents of the second barrel, heavy charge
OF buclxshot into her left breast just above tho
heart. The poor woman shrieked and ATTEMPTED
to follow her daughter She started down the
path toward the gate, but before she could get
dozen feet from the house she fell down, with
blood pouring from her side in torrent Sko
lived but q few minutes alter she fell
q No sooner had Wilson fired the second shot
than he began TO look around for the ammunition
lie found the powder and the waddins, but no
could not find the shot. lie only looked Tor IL q
moment. however, and then hastily charging ono
barrel with powder and paper, ran into the bed
room adjoining the parlor where his little ten1year
old boy Tommy was lying sick. The little fellow
was half dead with terror lie started up 10
plead for his lie but the father reassuled hims
saying: Pm only going TO scare myself bit.
Little Bella happened to get in his way at this
juncture He struck her with the butt OF the gun
On the forehead, lnficting q severe though NOT
dangerous wound. Then he set down on the
bed. placed the muzzle OF the gun under his LweD
law Just below the right ear, and pulled the
trigger. When the smoke cleared away the horror
stricken boy saw that nearly the whole side OF
his fathers face and head hld been blown of, and
the brains were scattered all over the room.
When the neighbors reached Mrs. Wilson sha
WAS breathing her last DR.. Wolfe was summoned